A Divine Design: The Tabernacle as a Garden of Eden

Bible Passage: Exodus 25:1–27:19

Summary: In this passage, God provides detailed instructions to Moses for constructing the tabernacle, a dwelling place for His presence among the Israelites. The design symbolizes creation, reflecting God's intention to dwell with His people and reestablish dominion over the earth.

Teaching: Through this passage, congregants will learn about the significance of the tabernacle as more than just a physical structure; it represents God's desire for relationship, order, and holiness among His people, mirroring the initial order of creation in the Garden of Eden.

Big Idea: God invites us to create spaces where His presence can be experienced, reflecting His original design for creation and our call to steward His dominion on earth.

1. Invitation to Participate

Exodus 25:1-9

2. Presence in Our Midst

Exodus 25:10-22

3. Provision and Light

Exodus 25:23-40

4. Panels of Order

Exodus 26:1-37

5. Place of Sacrifice

Exodus 27:1-19

God instructed Moses to invite the Israelites to bring voluntary offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle. The people gave generously, offering valuable materials such as gold, silver, and fine fabrics, reflecting their willingness to respond to God’s covenant and grace.

God provided a detailed pattern for the Tabernacle, symbolizing His desire to dwell among His people on earth, just as He had walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Tabernacle served as a sacred space where heaven and earth met, and through their generosity and obedience to God’s design, the Israelites were invited to participate in restoring the lost intimacy of Eden.

God gave Moses specific instructions for the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, which was to serve as His dwelling place in the innermost part of the Tabernacle, behind the veil in the Holy of Holies. The Ark was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, symbolizing its sacred nature. On top of the Ark, a mercy seat was to be crafted, with two cherubim of gold standing on either side, their wings outstretched and faces looking downward toward the mercy seat.

The presence of the cherubim symbolized the guardianship of God’s holiness, reminiscent of the cherubim stationed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden after humanity’s expulsion. Just as the cherubim guarded the way back to Eden, they now stood as protectors of God’s sacred dwelling on earth. The mercy seat was where God would meet with Moses, signifying both His justice and mercy. This sacred design underscored God’s desire to restore His presence among His people, while also highlighting the need for mediation and atonement in their relationship with Him.

God instructed Moses to construct the table for the showbread and the golden lampstand, both rich with symbolic meaning. The table, made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, was to hold the showbread, which was renewed every Sabbath. This bread symbolized God’s provision for human sustenance, reminding the Israelites that just as He provided for Adam and Eve in Eden, He continued to provide for His people in the wilderness and beyond.

The golden lampstand, intricately designed with a central shaft and six branches adorned with almond blossoms, buds, and flowers, evoked the image of a flourishing tree—linking it to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. The lampstand’s light represented not only God’s presence but also the original light of creation, which shone before the sun, moon, and stars were made. This pre-creation light symbolized divine life and illumination, underscoring God as the true source of light and life. Together, the table and the lampstand pointed to God’s sustaining care, the restoration of Edenic relationship, and His desire to dwell and provide for His people.

God gave precise instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, including its curtains, frames, and coverings. The Tabernacle was to be made with finely woven linen embroidered with cherubim, symbolizing divine guardianship, similar to the cherubim that guarded the way to the Tree of Life in Eden. The curtains, joined with golden clasps, would have shone like stars in the light of the menorah, evoking imagery of the heavens and reminding the Israelites of God’s heavenly rule and presence.

The inner structure of the Tabernacle consisted of two distinct spaces: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The Holy Place contained the table for the showbread, symbolizing God’s provision, and the golden lampstand, representing the light of creation that preceded the sun, moon, and stars. These sacred objects pointed to God as the source of both physical and spiritual sustenance.

Separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was a thick curtain (veil), also embroidered with cherubim, signifying that access to God’s immediate presence was guarded. Behind this veil, in the Holy of Holies, stood the Ark of the Covenant, with its golden cover and cherubim, representing God’s throne on earth. This separation underscored the holiness of God and the need for mediation, while the presence of the Ark symbolized God’s dwelling among His people, recalling the intimacy of Eden.

God outlined the construction of the bronze altar and the court of the Tabernacle. The altar, made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, featured four horns at its corners. These horns symbolized the four corners of the earth, representing God’s universal authority and dominion. They also served as a reminder of the need for blood sacrifice, signifying the role of atonement in covering transgressions and mediating between God and humanity. Israel, chosen by God, was to serve as a priestly nation, mediating not only for themselves but for all nations.

The court of the Tabernacle was to be an open space surrounded by linen hangings, where the people could gather to bring their offerings and participate in the sacrificial system. This court symbolized a meeting place where heaven and earth converged, allowing the people to encounter God through the mediation of priests and sacrifices. Through this system, peace with the Creator was established, providing a way for sinful humanity to approach the holy God and be reconciled to Him. The design of the court emphasized accessibility, showing that God desired relationship and communion with His people.

In Jewish theology, the Tabernacle was understood as a cosmic representation of God’s true dwelling, reflecting the order and beauty of creation. Its design symbolized the universe, with the Holy of Holies representing heaven, where God’s presence rested. By constructing the Tabernacle, Israel created a sacred space on earth where the divine could dwell among them, renewing the harmony lost in Eden. As the people called into covenant with YHVH, Israel’s role was to mediate God’s blessing to the world. The Tabernacle thus served not only as a place of worship and atonement but also as a sign of God’s desire to restore creation through His chosen people.